Blues Brother

Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 49 of FILLMORE, Slim plays a set in a dive bar, and afterwards discovers that the young girl that was trying to get him back into the game is a cop, and that he narrowly escaped going back to prison, but when he sees an old music promoter friend, he realizes he might get a second chance to revitalize his career ...


INT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT
A tiny, shitty, dark, dank hole-in-the-wall.
Slim stands onstage playing guitar with the house band.

SLIM
(sings)
The things that I used to do Lord, I won't do no more --
The things that I used to do Lord, I won't do no more --

Veronica’s in the audience, watching with rapt attention.

INT. DIVE BAR - LATER
Slim sits at the bar after the show, nursing a cocktail.
Veronica slides onto a stool next to him.

SLIM
Jesus fucking Christ on a motherfucking STICK.
How many times I gotta tell you --

VERONICA
No, it’s not that. I came to apologize.

SLIM
For what. Buggin’ me all the time?

VERONICA
Well, that’s part of it --
(beat)
I won’t bother you again. I promise.
I’m glad you got out of The Game.
Good luck to you. You’ve got a lot of talent.

She gets up and leaves. Slim watches her go.

EXT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT
Slim comes outside. Lights a smoke. A couple of HOOKERS (20’s)
leaning against the building come over to him.

HISPANIC HOOKER
Hey, Slim.

SLIM
What’s up, Rosa?

ROSA
Just thought you’d wanna know --
that white girl that just left the club?
She’s a cop. Be careful. She’s bad news.

TALL HOOKER
Yeah. She got Jimmy G busted just last week.

SLIM
I get it was that damn Gamble.

ROSA
Gamble? No, Gamble got transferred to
the Chinese Gang Task Force last year.

An undercover police vehicle slowly cruises by.
We see Norm behind the wheel with a NEW PARTNER (20’s)
sitting next him -- and, in the back seat, Veronica.
As they pass, we see her mouth the words 'I’m sorry.'

INT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT
Almost completely deserted at eight-o’clock in the evening.
Rain beats against the windows.

A handful of REGULARS sit at the bar, including Slim,
looking ratty in an old suit that’s
frayed at the lapels and doesn’t look clean.

Staring off into space. In walks a GREG PERLOFF (40’s),
a dark-haired white guy, businesslike
but still rock and roll in a tailored leather jacket.

He’s talking on a giant cell phone
as he walks over to the bar and takes a seat.

GREG
(listens)
Some bar. I couldn’t find a cab.
Gonna have a quick drink, then call one --
(listens)
Okay. See you then.
(hangs up, to the bartender)
Can I get a shot of Jack? Water back?

The BARTENDER (50’S) nods, goes to pour.
Greg nods. Looks around. Sees Slim. His eyes light up.

GREG
Holy shit. Fillmore Slim.

SLIM
(turns his head, smiles weakly)
Greg.

GREG
Been too long.
(examines how he’s dressed)
Can I buy you a drink?

SLIM
Never say no to a free drink --

GREG
(to the Bartender)
Can you get him another beer, on me --
(to Slim)
You wanna shot?
(off his nod)
And a shot for my man --
(looks at him, smiles)
Fillmore Slim. Damn. How long has it been?

SLIM
Been awhile --

The Bartender serves their shots.
They raise them in a toast.

GREG
To the blues.

SLIM
To the blues.

They down them.

SLIM
I heard you’re running The Fillmore now.

GREG
Yeah --

An uncomfortable silence.

GREG
Well, it was great to see you. Take care.

And he gets off his stool and heads for the door.
Slim gets up off his stool and follows him.